Juan David Gutierrez, an illegal immigrant from Mexico, has been charged with sodomy and attempted sodomy for the alleged 2019 sexual assault of a Ray County woman.
A judge has stripped a Missouri county prosecutor of her authority after it was revealed that she had an inappropriate relationship with an illegal immigrant facing sex crime charges. Ray County prosecutor Camille Johnston allegedly helped the criminal immigrant, whom she was prosecuting, escape law enforcement by transferring her car title to him and not disclosing his whereabouts, officials said.
Missouri Attorney General Catherine Hanaway's Office filed a petition for quo warranto last week, seeking Johnston's removal for a series of inappropriate relationships, including with an attorney and multiple defendants. A judge granted a preliminary order temporarily barring Johnston from practicing law in the state as the case proceeds.
The illegal immigrant Johnston allegedly assisted has been identified as Juan David Gutierrez, who has been charged with sodomy and attempted sodomy for the alleged 2019 sexual assault of a Ray County woman. Johnston was reportedly Gutierrez's girlfriend when he allegedly sexually abused the female victim, and knew he was unlawfully residing in the United States, KSHB reported.
AG Hanaway said Johnston has a history of having improper relationships with individuals being prosecuted by the Ray County District Attorney's Office.
"Respondent engaged in a romantic and intimate relationship with private defense counsel while defense counsel was representing several criminal defendants whom Respondent was prosecuting," the petition said. It added in regard to Gutierrez that Johnston "assisted this individual in avoiding arrest and detention, and she facilitated his absconding by providing him with a vehicle."
"When an elected official treats public office like their personal playground, betraying the public trust, ignoring legal obligations, and putting self-interest first, removal isn't a suggestion, it's a necessity," Missouri Attorney General Catherine Hanaway told Fox News Digital in a statement. "Johnston's record reflects a sustained pattern of misconduct and willful neglect that has undermined the integrity of the prosecutor's office and poses a serious threat to public safety. In Missouri, public office is public trust, not a personal entitlement, and no one is above accountability."
The Missouri attorney general was first notified about Johnston's relationship with Gutierrez in May 2024 when she received a letter from Richmond County Police Chief Scott Bagley, who disclosed the relationship.
Johnston "failed to recuse during the investigation" of the sexual assault case against Gutierrez, Hanaway's office said. Additionally, the petition states that Gutierrez is a citizen of Mexico and has been illegally present in the US since at least 2019.
After Gutierrez was charged with sex crimes, he reportedly fled the state with the help of Johnston, who transferred her car title to him in 2023 to avoid authorities. Johnston visited him several times after he left Missouri, including vacationing with Gutierrez in Mississippi and Florida, the AG's office said.
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